Like a virgin: The image of Mary?

Every so often, reports appear of everyday items suddenly bearing the image of the mother of Jesus. See some of the most notable ones through the years.

By Chron.com staff

on November 12, 2012 11:12 PM

Photo: Lai Seng Sin/Associated Press

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This is the most recent sighting of what some believe to be the Virgin Mary. It's seen Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in the window of a hospital in Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A Malaysian church is taking possession of the hospital window that has attracted hundreds of people. less

This is the most recent sighting of what some believe to be the Virgin Mary. It's seen Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in the window of a hospital in Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A Malaysian church is ... more

Photo: Lai Seng Sin, Associated Press

This is the most recent sighting of what some believe to be the... Photo-3728074.52347 - Houston Chronicle

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A devotee offers a prayer below an image believed to be the Virgin Mary, unseen, which is seen on a window of a hospital in Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. The Rev. Simon Labrooy of the suburb's Church of St Thomas More says he met with hospital officials and agreed the crowd situation could affect medical emergency services. less

A devotee offers a prayer below an image believed to be the Virgin Mary, unseen, which is seen on a window of a hospital in Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. The Rev. Simon ... more

Photo: Lai Seng Sin, Associated Press

A devotee offers a prayer below an image believed to be the Virgin... Photo-3728077.52347 - Houston Chronicle

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Devotees holding candles offer prayers as they look at an image believed to be the Virgin Mary, unseen, which appears on a window of a hospital in Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. The hospital glass panel would be moved to a church and tested by theologians and religious authorities. less

Devotees holding candles offer prayers as they look at an image believed to be the Virgin Mary, unseen, which appears on a window of a hospital in Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Nov. 12, ... more

The opening on a tree where the bark has been stripped away stands with flowers at the site where some believers say they see the image of Virgin Mary, Sunday, July 15, 2012, in West New York, N.J. Makeshift shrines sprang up by the tree and people were seen praying, crying and leaving flowers and candles as they look at the small opening where the bark was stripped away. less

The opening on a tree where the bark has been stripped away stands with flowers at the site where some believers say they see the image of Virgin Mary, Sunday, July 15, 2012, in West New York, N.J. Makeshift ... more

Photo: Julio Cortez, Associated Press

The opening on a tree where the bark has been stripped away stands... Photo-3728086.52347 - Houston Chronicle

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Guadalupe Rodriguez, a cafeteria worker at Pugh Elementary on Houston's East Side, discovered this image of the Virgin Mary, seen Feb. 23. 2007, while cleaning the dishes from lunch on Ash Wednesday. "it was a special day," she said. The cooking sheet was put on display in the front yard of a home a few blocks away from the school, with numerous visitors coming to see the image. less

Guadalupe Rodriguez, a cafeteria worker at Pugh Elementary on Houston's East Side, discovered this image of the Virgin Mary, seen Feb. 23. 2007, while cleaning the dishes from lunch on Ash Wednesday. "it was a ... more

A woman reaches out to tough the image of the Virgin Mary seen on a baking sheet Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, in Houston. Guadalupe Rodriguez, a cafeteria worker at Pugh Elementary on the East Side, discovered the image of the Virgin Mary while cleaning the dishes from lunch on Ash Wednesday. "it was a special day," she said. The cooking sheet is now on display in the front yard of a home a few blocks away from the school, with numerous visitors coming to see the image. less

A woman reaches out to tough the image of the Virgin Mary seen on a baking sheet Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, in Houston. Guadalupe Rodriguez, a cafeteria worker at Pugh Elementary on the East Side, discovered the ... more

Photo: BRETT COOMER, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

A woman reaches out to tough the image of the Virgin Mary seen on a... Photo-3728095.52347 - Houston Chronicle

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A shrine dedicated to an image bearing the likeness of the Virgin Mary that appeared on a baking pan is shown Feb. 23, 2007. The cooking sheet is now on display in the front yard of a home a few blocks away from the school. less

A shrine dedicated to an image bearing the likeness of the Virgin Mary that appeared on a baking pan is shown Feb. 23, 2007. The cooking sheet is now on display in the front yard of a home a few blocks away ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

A shrine dedicated to an image bearing the likeness of the Virgin... Photo-1136583.52347 - Houston Chronicle

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In one of the most famous instances, Diana Duyser, of Dania Beach, Fla., became $28,000 richer after selling a 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich that she said features an image of the Virgin Mary. Duyser, seen Nov. 15, 2004, a nonpracticing Baptist, kept the sandwich in a plastic box on her nightstand. She noticed the image a decade ago after taking a bite of the sandwich she made at home. She sold the sandwich online to GoldenPalace.com, an online casino. less

In one of the most famous instances, Diana Duyser, of Dania Beach, Fla., became $28,000 richer after selling a 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich that she said features an image of the Virgin Mary. Duyser, ... more

Photo: ANDRES GONZALEZ, KRT

In one of the most famous instances, Diana Duyser, of Dania Beach,... Photo-3728099.52347 - Houston Chronicle

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A third-floor window, where visitors believe they see a white apparition of the Virgin Mary, is seen at Milton Hospital in Milton, Mass., on Tuesday, June 17, 2003.

A third-floor window, where visitors believe they see a white apparition of the Virgin Mary, is seen at Milton Hospital in Milton, Mass., on Tuesday, June 17, 2003.

Photo: CHITOSE SUZUKI, AP

A third-floor window, where visitors believe they see a white... Photo-3728097.52347 - Houston Chronicle

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Visitors look up at a third floor window at the Milton Hospital medical office building, which some say contains an image of the Virgin Mary with a child, June 15, 2003 in Milton, Mass. Believers traveled from across the country and Canada to see the window. less

Visitors look up at a third floor window at the Milton Hospital medical office building, which some say contains an image of the Virgin Mary with a child, June 15, 2003 in Milton, Mass. Believers traveled from ... more

Photo: William B. Plowman, Getty Images

Visitors look up at a third floor window at the Milton Hospital... Photo-3728100.52347 - Houston Chronicle

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Candles, flowers and a painting of the Virgin Mary embracing John Paul II line the section of the Kennedy Expressway underpass on Chicago's northwest side Tuesday, April 19, 2005, where a yellow and white stain on a concrete wall that looks a lot like the Virgin Mary was discovered. Hundreds of people visited the site in the days after the discovery. less

Candles, flowers and a painting of the Virgin Mary embracing John Paul II line the section of the Kennedy Expressway underpass on Chicago's northwest side Tuesday, April 19, 2005, where a yellow and white stain ... more

In a related incident, a statue of the Virgin Mary weeps a red liquid that Venezuelans say is blood on March 25, 2003, in Caracas, Venezuela. Hundreds of Venezuelans flocked to a small chapel in a high school where they say the Virgin cried tears of blood as a message against the U.S.-led war against Iraq. less

In a related incident, a statue of the Virgin Mary weeps a red liquid that Venezuelans say is blood on March 25, 2003, in Caracas, Venezuela. Hundreds of Venezuelans flocked to a small chapel in a high school ... more

Photo: Getty Images

In a related incident, a statue of the Virgin Mary weeps a red... Photo-3728098.52347 - Houston Chronicle